Life-saving boat



May 7, 1929.

LIFE SAVINGr BOAT Filed Aug. 4, 1928 @gal gnu@ do@ John B. Ponfs attenuaJ. B. PoNTlKls 1,712,167

Patented May 7, 1929.

UNITED STATI-:si

JOHN B. PONTIKIS, F WASHINGTON, ,DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

LuE-'sAvING BOAT.

Application led August 4, 1928.. Serial No. 297,480.

My invention consists in new and useful improvements in life boats, andhas for its object to provide a boat which is vpractically non-sinkable,and one which will withstand the batterinfr of a rough sea.

Another dbject of my invention is to provide a life boat, equipped ywithan improved keel, which isy adapted to prevent capsizing of the boat bythe severe motion of the 1o water which a boat of this type usuallyencounters.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, my invention consists in the novel features hereinset forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, in which numerals of like character designatesimilar parts throughout both views,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View clearly illustrating my improved keelarrangement, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken on line 2-'2 of Fi 1, showing thedetails of construction o the boat proper andthe keel.

vIn the drawing, 1 represents the hull or body of the boat, whichconsists of a substantially thick layer o`f cork 2, interposed betweenan inner lining .3 of metal sheet,

preferably steel, and an`outer cover 4, of'

canvas, which extends upwardly and is folded over the upper extremitiesof the cork layer 2. This canvas cover 4 may be glued to the cork layer2, or otherwise suitably secured in lace.

Along the un er side of the hull 1, and extending longitudinallythereof, I provide a keel 5, which 4is composed of a plurality ofhorizontally disposed plates 6, in superposed relation, and spaced apartfrom one another by suitablel brackets 7.` The keel 5 is secured to thebottom of the hull 1, by means of a plurality of supports 8, which maybe riveted or otherwise secured to said hull. Each of the superposedplates 6, preferably consists of a body portion of wood 9, covered witha metal sheeting 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, to more readilywithstand the effects of rocks or ice, which lmay be encountered by theboat. 11 represents a stri of material similar to the plates 6, andinterposed therebetween in vertical position, extending longitudinallyfor the enwith other floating vessels.

tire length of said plates, whereby the lateral rocking of the boat isreduced to a min- 1mum.

By the use of my improved keel, it will be seen that thewater itself, inwhich the boat 1s launched, will tend to equalize the motion of the boatby its contact with the superposed plates 6, and the longitudinallyextendinv'vertical plate v,11, thus maintainpig said `l-ioat in asubstantially upright posiion.

The combined metal, cork and canvas hull provides a boat'of greatbuoyancy, and one which will efficiently carry a large number of personswithout fear of its being submerged or destroyed by the elements.

While I have shown and described my invention as embodied'in a lifeboat, it is obvious that the same principle may be employed to equaladvantage in connection From the foregoing, it is believed that theconstruction, operation and advantagesA of my invention may be readilyunderstood vby those vskilled in the art, and I am aware that changesmay be made in the detailsdisclosed, without departing from the spiritof the invention, as expressed in the f ollowing claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A boat comprising a hull composed of layers of metal and cork, andcovered with a suitable fabric, and a keel comprising a plurality ofsuperposed horizontal plates arranged in spaced relation, and extendinglongitudinally of said hull.

2. A boat comprising a hull composed of layers of metal and cork, andcovered with a suitable fabric, and a keel comprising a plurality ofsuperposed horizontal plates arranged in spaced relation, and at leastone vertically disposed plate interposed between said first namedplates, said plates extending longitudinally of said hull.

3. A boat comprising a hull composed of layers of metal and cork, 'andcovered with a suitable fabric, and a keel comprising a plurality ofsuperposed horizontal plates arranged in spaced relation, and at leastone vertically disposed plate interposed between said first namedplates, said plates extending longitudinally of said hull, and eachbeing composed of a base. of wood covered with a metal sheeting.

4. A boat as claimed in claiml, lwherein said hull comprises an innerlining of metal, an intermediate layer of cork, and a covering ofcanvas.

5. In a life boat, a keel comprising a plurality of superposedhorizontal plates arranged in spaced relation, and a vertically disposedplate interposed between said firstl named thereof.

6. In a life boat, a keel comprising a pluplates and extendinglongitudinally rality of superposed horizontal plates arranged in spacedrelation., and va vertically disposed plate interposedbetween said firstnamed plates and extending longitudinally thereof, each of said platesbeing composed of a base of wood covered with a metal sheeting.

In testimony whereof I aix my signaturel JOHN B. PONTIKIS.

